The countdown to Super Bowl LX is nearly over. On February 8, 2026, the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks will meet at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, in what promises to be one of the most compelling championship games in recent memory. It is a rematch eleven years in the making, harking back to the unforgettable Super Bowl XLIX in 2015, when Malcolm Butler's iconic goal-line interception sealed a 28-24 victory for New England.

This time around, the rosters look very different, but the stakes are just as high. Both franchises finished the regular season with identical 14-3 records. The Patriots punched their ticket to the big game by grinding out a 10-7 defensive battle against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. The Seahawks, meanwhile, held off a furious rally from the Los Angeles Rams to win the NFC title 31-27.

All eyes will be on the quarterbacks. New England's Drake Maye, just 23 years old, is on the verge of making history. If he takes the field on Sunday, he will become only the third quarterback to start a Super Bowl before turning 24, joining Dan Marino (1984) and Ben Roethlisberger (2005). Maye, the third overall pick out of North Carolina, surged into MVP contention in only his second NFL season. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels expressed confidence during the week that Maye would have no limitations despite a lingering shoulder concern.

On the other sideline, Sam Darnold's journey to Super Bowl LX reads like one of the great redemption stories in professional sports. Once labeled a bust after a difficult tenure with the New York Jets, Darnold has reinvented himself in Seattle. He threw for over 3,800 yards and 28 touchdowns during the regular season while dramatically cutting his interception rate. In two playoff games leading up to the Super Bowl, Darnold has been nearly flawless, completing close to 70 percent of his passes for 470 yards, four touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 122.4 passer rating. However, an oblique injury sustained during the NFC Championship has drawn attention this week, though Darnold remained optimistic about his availability.

The Seahawks enter the game as 4.5-point favorites according to DraftKings Sportsbook, with the over-under set at 45.5 points. Seattle's defense has been the backbone of their championship run, ranking first in the NFL in points allowed at just 17.1 per game and first against the rush. Running back Kenneth Walker has also been a force, averaging 5.2 yards per carry in the playoffs since stepping into a larger role.

New England, however, is no slouch offensively. The Patriots led the AFC in scoring during the regular season, averaging 28.8 points per game. Head coach Mike Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls as a player with the Patriots, now has the chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy from the other side.

Injury concerns linger for both squads heading into Sunday. Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori left Wednesday's practice with an ankle issue, while the Patriots are monitoring several players on their nine-man injury report. The Seahawks listed 13 players on theirs.

With a halftime show headlined by Bad Bunny and a stadium packed with anticipation, Super Bowl LX has all the ingredients for a classic. Whether it is Maye's coronation as the next great Patriots quarterback or Darnold's ultimate redemption arc, Sunday's game will write a new chapter in one of the NFL's most storied rivalries.